CSL Antivenom Handbook

Australian Snakes and Snakebite

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Nephrotoxins

While there are no isolated nephrotoxins in any Australian snake venom, they are known from some exotic snake venoms and kidney damage is not rare in Australian snakebite. The mechanisms are unclear, but may include both direct toxic effects on the kidney and secondary damage as a result of hypotension, myolysis or coagulopathy. Kidney damage may develop early, is uncommon in children, but much more likely if the patient has consumed significant amounts of alcohol prior to the bite.

Key early signs include; oliguria or anuria (but neither are common).

Key laboratory tests; urea, creatinine, potassium.

Key species; any snake but particularly brown snakes, tiger snakes, mulga snakes, taipans, rough scaled snake.

Value of antivenom treatment: uncertain.